WEBVTT

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 We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise. We're singing in Psalm 121 in the Scottish Psalter, page 416.

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 Psalm 121, page 416. We'll sing the whole of this psalm, the tune is French.

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 I to the hills will lift mine eyes, from whence doth come my need. My safety cometh from the Lord, who heaven and earth hath made.

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 We'll sing the whole of this psalm to God's praise.

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 I to the hills will lift mine eyes, from whence doth come my need.

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 My safety cometh from the Lord, who heaven and earth hath made.

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 Thy fruit heal not lest thine nor will, thee slumber that thee keeps.

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 Behold, thee that keeps Israel, thee slumber snort nor sleet.

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 The Lord, thee keep's, the Lord thy shape, on my right hand just day.

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 The moon by night, thee shall not smite, nor yet the sun by day.

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 The Lord shall keep thy soul, he shall place heavenly from all hell.

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 And so forth thy going heart and end.

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 God, he forever will.

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 Let's join together in prayer.

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 Let us pray.

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 Lord, our gracious God, we thank you for this, your day.

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 We thank you for being able to gather to worship and praise you, to sing praise to you, thankful for who you are and for all that you do for us.

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 Thankful that we thank you for the Lord.

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 Thank you for who he is and all that he's done for us.

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 We thank you that the more that we learn and experience of him, that we come to marvel at more and more at what has been done for us.

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 Even as we think back over this week and to the communion service last weekend and remembering his death,

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 we thank you for his laying down his life.

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 As we have been reminded even in this past week of so many who gave their lives in the D-Day landings

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 and who gave their lives to protect us and give us freedom.

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 We thank you above all that Jesus came to lay down his life to give us the ultimate freedom and that hope of eternal life through him.

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 And that we come today knowing that although he died, he rose again.

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 And we come today in that resurrection power.

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 We come thankful for all that Jesus is to so many in this world.

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 I'm praying that he will become more and more precious to each and every one of us today.

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 So Lord, be with us, we pray, in all that we do in our service and in the Sunday School in Crescent Twinies.

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 May you look after us all as we commit ourselves into your hands,

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 asking all with the forgiveness of our sins.

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 In Jesus' name. Amen.

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 Well, just a wee word to the young folks before you go out.

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 I've got something to show you.

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 This morning I've got a number of medals.

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 Different medals for different events.

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 There's running, mostly running I think it is,

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 running short distance and running long distance.

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 And you may be quite impressed by me having all these medals.

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 You may be quite surprised by me having all these medals.

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 But I've got to let you into a wee secret.

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 These medals aren't actually mine.

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 And I don't think they were left in the manse by the previous minister either.

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 But they belong to someone who's good at running,

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 running different distances.

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 And a couple of weeks ago, two weeks ago yesterday,

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 there was a lot of running going on around the town of Stornoway.

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 There was the half marathon, there was the 10K,

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 and there was the mini marathon.

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 And I know a lot of people here were involved in some of these races.

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 Some of the younger ones involved in the mini marathon,

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 some of the older ones involved in the 10K or the half marathon.

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 I didn't get my entry in in time, but maybe next year,

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 if I start training, we might get into that one.

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 But at the end of the race, you have winners,

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 you have people who come in in first place,

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 and they get that prize for being first in the race.

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 And many of us would maybe go into these kinds of races,

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 whether it's the half or the 10K or the mini marathon,

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 and you know yourself, I'm not going to win.

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 There's better runners than me.

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 There's people who are faster and fitter.

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 They're more likely to win.

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 But does that stop us going into the race?

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 No.

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 You see, it's not about just getting first place.

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 It's so often in these kinds of races,

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 especially you think of half marathons and marathons,

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 people don't enter in it just to think, I'm going to win.

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 It's the actual accomplishment of doing it,

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 of running these distances,

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 of being in the race and finishing that race,

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 whether you're finishing it running in a sprint,

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 or whether you're finishing it just walking absolutely shattered.

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 It's that finishing the race that counts.

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 And today, we're going to be looking at the letter of Paul

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 to the Philippians here in the church.

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 And in this letter, Paul often describes our life in this way,

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 of running a race, of being involved in a race,

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 of being training for a race.

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 But he does so in different ways.

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 He says sometimes we're in the race running,

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 sometimes we're walking,

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 sometimes we're resting.

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 But it's all about preparing ourselves for it,

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 being ready for this race and running this race.

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 And it's not about gaining first prize.

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 It's not about getting that medal for first place.

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 It's about all of us just being in this race,

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 being in this race in order that we might get

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 that gift of God at the end of it,

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 that he will crown us,

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 that he will say,

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 well done, you've run the race,

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 you've finished the race,

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 you didn't come first in it,

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 you weren't the best in it,

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 but you've done it,

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 you've made it,

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 and that's what counts.

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 And for all of us today,

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 when we think of medals in first place,

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 these can be good,

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 and someone will win first place.

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 But for many of us,

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 it's just about being in the race.

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 I didn't get any of these medals

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 because I wasn't in the race.

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 Last two weeks ago,

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 I wasn't in any of the races.

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 I was standing there pointing people

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 in the right direction,

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 I had a nice, easy job.

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 But those who were in the race

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 finished the race

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 and did it well.

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 And that's what counts.

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 And so for all of us today as well,

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 we think of the race that we're in,

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 running for Jesus,

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 running to him,

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 looking to him,

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 and thinking it's about being in the race

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 and finishing the race,

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 whether we're first or last,

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 it doesn't matter,

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 but that we are with him.

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 So may the Lord help us all

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 to run that race

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 and to look to Jesus.

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 We're going to say

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 the Lord's prayer together now.

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 Our Father, which art in heaven,

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 hallowed be thy name.

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 Thy kingdom come.

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 Thy will be done on earth

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 as it is in heaven.

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 Give us this day our daily bread

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 and forgive us our debts

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 as we forgive our debtors.

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 And lead us not into temptation,

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 but deliver us from evil.

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 For thine is the kingdom,

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 the power,

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 and the glory forever.

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 Amen.

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 We're going to sing again

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 to God's praise,

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 this time in Psalm 15,

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 again in the Scottish Psalter,

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 page 215 of the psalm books.

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 And the tune is Evan.

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 Psalm 15,

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 on page 215,

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 we'll sing the whole of this psalm together.

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 Within thy tabernacle, Lord,

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 who shall abide with thee,

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 and in thy high and holy hill,

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 who shall a dweller be,

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 the man that walketh uprightly,

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 and worketh righteousness,

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 and as he thinketh in his heart,

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 so doth he truth express.

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 We'll sing the whole of this psalm

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 and we'll sing the whole of this psalm together.

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 And let's pray now to God's praise.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Within thy tabernacle, Lord, who shall have fight with thee,

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 And in thy high and holy hill, who shall have weller thee,

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 The man that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness,

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 And as he thinketh in his heart, so doth the truth express,

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 Who doth not slander with his tongue, nor who his friend doth are,

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 Nor yet against his neighbor, doth take up an ill report,

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 And whose eyes bad men are despised, but those that God do fear,

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 He honoreth and changeth not, though to his heart he swear,

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 His coin puts not to you, sonny, nor take reward will he,

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 Against the guiltless food of us, shall never move with me.

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 Amen.

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 We're going to read together now in Paul's letter to the Philippians.

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 We're reading in chapter 3.

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 We can take up our reading at verse 7.

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 Philippians chapter 3 and at verse 7.

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 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

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 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

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 For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish,

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 In order that I may gain Christ and be found in him,

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 Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

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 But that which comes through faith in Christ,

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 The righteousness from God that depends on faith,

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 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection,

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 And may share his sufferings,

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 Becoming like him in his death,

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 That by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

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 Not that I have already obtained this,

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 Or I'm already perfect,

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 But I press on to make it my own,

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 Because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

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 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own,

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 But one thing I do,

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 Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

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 I press on towards the goal

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 For the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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 Let those of us who are mature think this way,

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 And if in anything you think otherwise,

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 God will reveal that also to you.

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 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

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 Brothers, join in imitating me,

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 And keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

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 For many of whom I have often told you,

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 And now tell you,

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 Even with tears,

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 Walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

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 Their end is destruction,

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 Their God is their belly,

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 And they glory in their shame,

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 With minds set on earthly things.

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 But our citizenship is in heaven,

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 And from it we await a Saviour,

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 The Lord Jesus Christ,

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 Who will transform our lowly body

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 To be like his glorious body,

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 By the power that enables him

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 Even to subject all things to himself.

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 Therefore, my brothers,

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 Whom I love and long for,

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 My joy and crown,

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 Stand firm thus,

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 In the Lord my beloved.

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 And so on.

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 And may God bless that reading from his word.

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 Let's again just engage in a word of prayer.

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 Let us pray.

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 Lord, our gracious God,

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 We do thank you for your word,

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 And all instruction that it gives to us.

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 But above all,

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 We thank you that it reminds us of

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 All that you are to us,

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 All that you have done for us,

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 All that you are doing and will do

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 In our lives,

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 And the world in which you have made.

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 We know that from generation to generation,

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 Your word has gone out,

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 Not always received,

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 So often shunned and turned away from,

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 Even like in our own day.

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 But we thank you that still

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 Your word accomplishes so much,

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 That it is powerful,

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 That it is mighty,

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 That it is a word of salvation

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 To a people who are perishing,

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 That it reminds us of

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 A wonderful saviour

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 That you have given,

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 Your own son,

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 Christ Jesus.

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 And as we think even of this letter,

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 The letter to the Philippines,

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 It is full of Christ,

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 Full of all that he has done,

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 How he came into the world,

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 How he was humble,

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 How he showed humility in every way,

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 How he endured the cross,

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 How he experienced death,

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 How he rose again,

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 How through his righteousness,

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 We are cleansed,

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 How through him,

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 We have one to look to,

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 Not just for today,

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 But for eternity.

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 And we pray, Lord,

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 That your word,

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 As it goes out today,

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 Will be blessed by you,

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 That throughout your world,

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 Throughout your people,

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 Far and wide,

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 That your word may be heard,

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 And that people may be saved,

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 From their sin.

00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:45.039
 We thank you, Lord,

00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:46.859
 That it is a life-giving word,

00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.240
 And yet,

00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.839
 As we read here,

00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.740
 There are those,

00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:52.379
 Who have turned away from it,

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:54.039
 Those who are enemies,

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.519
 Of the cross of Christ,

00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:56.859
 As described here.

00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.299
 And we see that,

00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.159
 All around us,

00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.240
 In so many ways.

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.339
 And yet,

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.200
 We pray, Lord,

00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:02.880
 For mercy,

00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:04.240
 We pray for grace,

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.299
 To be poured out in abundance,

00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.440
 That we would see,

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.940
 Times of great conflict,

00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:10.700
 And distress,

00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:11.620
 And pain,

00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.319
 And suffering,

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.700
 That we would see,

00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.839
 These things turned,

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.140
 That we would see,

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.180
 A turning to you,

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.579
 A repentance,

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.740
 And a turning to you.

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:21.720
 Lord,

00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.440
 May you hear,

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.839
 The prayers of your people,

00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.359
 Throughout this world,

00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:27.160
 We do remember today,

00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:27.440
 Lord,

00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:29.019
 That so many of your people,

00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:30.480
 Do not enjoy the freedoms,

00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.200
 That we do,

00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.400
 That so many,

00:18:32.580 --> 00:18:34.100
 Live in countries,

00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.820
 And places,

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.799
 Where there is so much,

00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.700
 Persecution,

00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:38.620
 Where there is fear,

00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.320
 Put upon,

00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.559
 What it means,

00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.500
 To be a Christian,

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.600
 And yet,

00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.860
 Just as when Paul,

00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:44.559
 Was writing,

00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.559
 With such joy,

00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.779
 From a prison cell,

00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.480
 That there is still joy,

00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.180
 In our world,

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.920
 In Christ,

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.460
 Joy in the midst,

00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.120
 Of suffering,

00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.039
 Joy in the midst,

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.460
 Of persecution,

00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.580
 Joy that,

00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.740
 In Christ,

00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.579
 We have something,

00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.559
 That is not just temporary,

00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.519
 Or for a moment,

00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.480
 But for all eternity,

00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.039
 That there is riches,

00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:06.059
 Beyond any comparison,

00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:08.059
 And so we pray today,

00:19:08.179 --> 00:19:08.339
 Lord,

00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:10.259
 That you will encourage us here,

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.819
 That you will build us up,

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.539
 In our faith,

00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.639
 That you will bless us,

00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.980
 By your presence,

00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.220
 And through your word,

00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:18.000
 That we will experience,

00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:18.559
 Lord,

00:19:18.679 --> 00:19:20.039
 That surety,

00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.919
 And that certainty,

00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:22.359
 That you are with us,

00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:23.779
 That you are near,

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.099
 And we thank you,

00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:26.119
 For every encouragement,

00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:26.920
 That you give,

00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.059
 We thank you,

00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.160
 As we look back,

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.359
 As we have said already,

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.019
 Of the communion weekend,

00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.779
 We thank you,

00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.920
 For all the blessings,

00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:34.759
 We received,

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.319
 And enjoyed,

00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.379
 From your hand there,

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.460
 We thank you,

00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.240
 For new members,

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.019
 We thank you,

00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.839
 For our fellowship,

00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.700
 We thank you,

00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.799
 For your word,

00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:43.339
 That was proclaimed to us,

00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.619
 The word of the cross,

00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.039
 And we thank you,

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.059
 That that is central,

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.399
 To all things,

00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.299
 That we lift our eyes,

00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:50.960
 To Jesus,

00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.399
 And help us,

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.220
 As we go on,

00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.620
 In this race of life,

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.460
 As we go on,

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.860
 Walking through the experiences,

00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.019
 That come our ways,

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.740
 That in all things,

00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.920
 That our eyes,

00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.340
 Will be fixed on him,

00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:06.140
 That we will not despair,

00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:07.640
 That we will not lose hope,

00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.080
 That we will be able,

00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:10.300
 To commit all things,

00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.340
 To you in prayer,

00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.700
 With that sure,

00:20:12.780 --> 00:20:13.860
 And certain hope,

00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:16.080
 That Christ is victorious,

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.920
 So help your people,

00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:18.759
 And help those,

00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:20.019
 In different needs today,

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.200
 As we know,

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.440
 Many around us,

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:24.700
 Have different experiences,

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.799
 Of ill health,

00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.900
 Of sad news,

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.359
 Of sorrow,

00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.299
 And sadness,

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.539
 And loss in life,

00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.960
 And we just pray,

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.279
 Lord,

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.119
 For your help,

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.240
 In the midst of them all,

00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.539
 That you will surround us,

00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.319
 With your grace,

00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.359
 And with your peace,

00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.639
 We think too,

00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:41.119
 Even of the news,

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.139
 Of a young boy,

00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.220
 Missing in our town,

00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.279
 Overnight,

00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:44.819
 And we pray,

00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.400
 For his,

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:47.139
 Being found safe,

00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.700
 We pray,

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.940
 For those who are concerned,

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.440
 For him,

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.360
 And looking for him,

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.600
 Lord,

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.160
 We pray,

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.080
 O Lord,

00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.779
 Your blessing,

00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.360
 And help,

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.700
 In the midst of these things,

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.240
 And we pray,

00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.440
 For our young people,

00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.240
 For each one,

00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.279
 O Lord,

00:20:58.340 --> 00:20:59.460
 In this world,

00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.279
 In which we live,

00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:01.500
 In which there is so much,

00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:03.500
 That makes us fearful,

00:21:04.100 --> 00:21:04.900
 Help us to,

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.940
 To remember,

00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.259
 Lord,

00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.059
 That you are able,

00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.620
 To do so much more,

00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.880
 Than we ask or imagine,

00:21:10.580 --> 00:21:11.180
 And so Lord,

00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:12.259
 Hear our prayers,

00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.640
 And watch over us now,

00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.600
 As we confess our sins,

00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.279
 And you Lord,

00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:18.199
 Hear us in all of these things,

00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.519
 And pardon us,

00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.439
 As we ask it all,

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.419
 In Jesus name,

00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.339
 Amen.

00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.159
 We'll again sing,

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.879
 To God's praise,

00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:28.819
 Before we turn back,

00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:30.299
 To look at this passage,

00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:30.839
 We're going to sing,

00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:32.719
 In Psalm 146,

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.659
 In the Sing Psalms version,

00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:37.119
 Page 191,

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:39.179
 We'll sing from verse 1,

00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.599
 To verse 6,

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.359
 Psalm 146,

00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.559
 At verse 1,

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:47.699
 Page 191,

00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.299
 Praise the Lord,

00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:49.959
 My soul,

00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.679
 O praise him,

00:21:50.719 --> 00:21:51.639
 I'll extol him,

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.039
 All my days,

00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.399
 While I live to God,

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.219
 My Saviour,

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.299
 From my heart,

00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:58.299
 I will sing praise,

00:21:58.719 --> 00:21:59.879
 We'll sing from verse 1,

00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.599
 To 6,

00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.899
 To God's praise,

00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:09.740
 Praise the Lord,

00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:11.339
 My soul,

00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.299
 O praise him,

00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:16.099
 I'll extol him,

00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.599
 I'll extol him,

00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:19.180
 All my days,

00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:23.359
 While I live to God,

00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:25.319
 My Saviour,

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:27.720
 From my heart,

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:31.799
 I will sing praise,

00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:38.019
 Do not put your trust in princes,

00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:44.019
 Mortal men who cannot save,

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:49.920
 All their plans will come to nothing,

00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:52.720
 When they perish,

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:56.120
 When they perish in the grave,

00:22:56.120 --> 00:23:08.220
 Blessed is the one who truly looks on hell to Jacob's God,

00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:20.440
 Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord.

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:26.880
 He who made the earth and heaven,

00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:32.620
 And the seas with all their store,

00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:38.580
 He who keeps us every promise,

00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:45.000
 Who is faithful evermore.

00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:54.299
 We can turn back to our reading in Philippians chapter 3,

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:58.579
 And we're going to look at the last part of this chapter,

00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.599
 Verse 17,

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:02.680
 Down into verse 1 of chapter 4.

00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:06.000
 Philippians chapter 3,

00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.480
 Reading at verse 17,

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.839
 Brothers,

00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:08.860
 Brothers,

00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:08.940
 Brothers,

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.759
 Join in imitating me,

00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:18.160
 And keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.339
 And so on.

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:29.440
 Well, Paul often uses the analogy of running a race,

00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:31.259
 Or living our lives in that way,

00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:33.900
 We were pressing on towards a goal,

00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.620
 As we see in this passage,

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:37.099
 You see it in verse 12,

00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.819
 To verse 16,

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:41.039
 But there's a subtle change,

00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:44.059
 Between verses 12 to 16,

00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:45.180
 And then 17,

00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:47.559
 Down to the end of the chapter,

00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.640
 And you ask,

00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:51.759
 Well, what is that subtle change?

00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:55.120
 You see in verse 12 to 16,

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:58.759
 Paul describing the way he is living his life there,

00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:01.460
 As pressing on to make it my own,

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:04.000
 Pressing on towards the prize,

00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:05.420
 Towards the goal,

00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:07.600
 The upward call of God,

00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:10.220
 There's this image of he's in a race,

00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:11.080
 He's running,

00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.620
 He's pressing on,

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:17.860
 To receive that goal of the prize at the end of the race,

00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:20.219
 So there's this race that he's in,

00:25:20.219 --> 00:25:25.019
 But then in verse 17 to verse 1 of chapter 4,

00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.439
 If you like,

00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.839
 There's a change,

00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:29.579
 And in verse 17 it says there,

00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:33.559
 You're walking according to the example,

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:36.240
 So there's a slowing down in pace,

00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.919
 If you like,

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:39.019
 But it's no less difficult,

00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.799
 In running a race,

00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:41.559
 There are times,

00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.919
 You think especially of running a marathon,

00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:46.220
 Which is what Paul probably had in mind,

00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:49.339
 In the races that he was seeing around him at this time,

00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.539
 Running great distances,

00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:54.419
 There are times when some runners just have to slow down and walk,

00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.559
 Just to regain their strength,

00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:57.599
 And their breath back,

00:25:57.700 --> 00:26:00.279
 To carry on in this race,

00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:03.139
 And Paul is often writing in this way,

00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:05.359
 Where it's not just about the race alone,

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:08.180
 But all the training that goes into life,

00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:10.519
 And running the race for Jesus,

00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.960
 So there's a time to run,

00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:15.259
 There's a time to walk,

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:18.539
 And there's also a time to rest,

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.259
 Just like with any athlete,

00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.980
 You need all of these things,

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:27.839
 And Paul is describing the Christian life in this way as well,

00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:30.980
 He's writing to the people here at Philippi,

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:33.179
 In order to build them up in the faith,

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:37.119
 To build them up in their stamina for running this race,

00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:41.139
 And what it means to run this race,

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:45.480
 But when you come to verse 17 here,

00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.839
 Paul says,

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:50.179
 Brothers, join in imitating me,

00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:52.799
 And in some ways,

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:56.120
 It can come across as quite selfish,

00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:57.980
 Self-promotion here,

00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.980
 Paul is saying,

00:26:59.060 --> 00:26:59.620
 Look at me,

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:02.320
 How good I am,

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:06.140
 But that would be to take it in the wrong way,

00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.000
 He says,

00:27:08.560 --> 00:27:09.539
 Join in imitating me,

00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:11.259
 And keep your eyes on those,

00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:15.460
 Who walk according to the example you have seen in us,

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:18.080
 It's more than just Paul,

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.819
 It's believers,

00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:22.720
 In that sense of those who are in the race,

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.299
 And running for Christ,

00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.179
 Look at them,

00:27:25.699 --> 00:27:26.819
 And learn from them,

00:27:26.899 --> 00:27:29.679
 And how you can go on in this race,

00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.319
 But it's not just about them,

00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:35.059
 As you read through this letter,

00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:37.279
 And if you think it's all about Paul,

00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.939
 Or just what others have done,

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.579
 You miss the point,

00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:42.579
 His ultimate point,

00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:45.339
 Is to look to Christ,

00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:47.359
 To look to him,

00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:50.319
 Because that's what's important,

00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.859
 So the imitation of him,

00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:55.219
 Is not just doing as he is doing,

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:57.059
 But doing as he is doing,

00:27:57.179 --> 00:27:58.299
 Through Christ,

00:27:58.659 --> 00:28:00.419
 Who has saved him,

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:03.659
 And so in chapter 3 here,

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:06.459
 Paul uses different analogies,

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:08.019
 To speak to the people,

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:10.000
 And to help them understand,

00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:13.319
 Just how precious Christ is,

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:15.700
 In chapter 3,

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.000
 Verse 1 to 11,

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.740
 He uses the analogy,

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.599
 Of an accountant,

00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.740
 He's talking about,

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.480
 Gain and loss,

00:28:23.619 --> 00:28:24.220
 And all of these,

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.659
 Accounting terms,

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.519
 And he's doing it,

00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:28.019
 In a way that's showing,

00:28:28.179 --> 00:28:29.439
 What he formerly had,

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.619
 And what he thought,

00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.700
 He was rich in,

00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.159
 What he thought,

00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.839
 Was so precious for him,

00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.200
 It's rubbish,

00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.819
 He's saying,

00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.519
 It's rubbish,

00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:38.399
 Compared to the surpassing,

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:38.939
 Worth,

00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:41.080
 Of knowing Christ Jesus,

00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:42.620
 As my Lord,

00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:45.000
 He cannot gain anything,

00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:46.259
 By his own righteousness,

00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.400
 It's all about,

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.299
 The righteousness,

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.539
 Of Christ,

00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:51.019
 It's all about Christ,

00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:54.220
 And then in verse 12,

00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:55.100
 To verse 16,

00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.080
 He's using the analogy,

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.960
 Of the athlete there,

00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.299
 But again,

00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:01.120
 It's rich in Christ,

00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:03.360
 He's pressing on,

00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:04.240
 Towards the goal,

00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:05.259
 He's running the race,

00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.460
 But he's saying,

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:08.000
 To make it my own,

00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.500
 Because Christ Jesus,

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.460
 Made me,

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:12.079
 His own,

00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.099
 And he's running this race,

00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.660
 The upward call of God,

00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:17.319
 In Christ Jesus,

00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.799
 So he's,

00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:20.519
 He's always focused,

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.940
 On Christ,

00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.900
 So in these analogies,

00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.700
 That he's used,

00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:24.960
 Of,

00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.519
 Of accountancy,

00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.420
 Of trade,

00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.319
 Commerce,

00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:28.980
 If you like,

00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:30.299
 And sports,

00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:30.920
 He's using,

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.440
 Analogies of things,

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.339
 That people would have been,

00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.539
 Very familiar with,

00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.740
 In Philippi,

00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.640
 A trading city,

00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.140
 A city that was,

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.259
 Always had,

00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.900
 These races being run,

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.019
 It was things,

00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.859
 That people with,

00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:45.180
 Were familiar with,

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.359
 But now in verse 17,

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.099
 To verse 1,

00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:49.880
 Of chapter 4,

00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.839
 He's using another,

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:51.859
 Analogy,

00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:52.859
 And it's this,

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.079
 We're going to focus on,

00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.640
 This morning,

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.880
 And it's,

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.819
 Not just to do with,

00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.359
 Walking,

00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.460
 But it's,

00:29:58.619 --> 00:30:00.259
 Walking as citizens,

00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.980
 And he's talking here,

00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.920
 About citizenship,

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.079
 He's talking about,

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.199
 Belonging,

00:30:06.199 --> 00:30:07.299
 He's talking about,

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.819
 Whose we are,

00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.439
 And this is something,

00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.539
 That they would have known,

00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.539
 Much about as well,

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.899
 Many who lived in Philippi,

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.139
 Were citizens,

00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.480
 Of Rome,

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.599
 And yet many of them,

00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:21.439
 Had not been,

00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.419
 To Rome,

00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.480
 They'd never seen,

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.179
 Rome,

00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:24.720
 And yet they were,

00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:26.619
 Living under Roman authority,

00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:28.279
 By Roman rules,

00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:29.439
 By Roman ways,

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.179
 Under Roman protection,

00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.920
 So that they enjoyed,

00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:33.820
 The good things,

00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:34.779
 And the bad things,

00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:35.400
 They experienced,

00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.340
 In the midst of this,

00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.259
 As well,

00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.500
 But yet they were,

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.500
 Seen in this way,

00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:39.980
 And they knew,

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.460
 What Roman citizenship,

00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:43.080
 Citizenship meant,

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:46.000
 But Paul is reminding,

00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:47.860
 Those who are in Christ,

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.700
 Of a different,

00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:49.799
 Citizenship,

00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:52.039
 They're describing it,

00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:52.860
 As a different,

00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.900
 Belonging,

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.880
 He says in verse 20,

00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.299
 But our citizenship,

00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.900
 Is in heaven,

00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.539
 And from it,

00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.220
 We await,

00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.460
 A saviour,

00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:03.619
 The Lord Jesus Christ,

00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.019
 So again,

00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.980
 He's using an analogy,

00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.559
 That's something,

00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.599
 They're familiar with,

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.339
 Of Roman citizenship,

00:31:09.659 --> 00:31:11.099
 And the Roman emperor,

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.879
 And governor,

00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:13.079
 Who was over them,

00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.799
 In these things,

00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:14.899
 To remember,

00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.019
 Of citizenship,

00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.539
 In Christ,

00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.619
 In heaven,

00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:21.039
 And so,

00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.980
 We want to think,

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.579
 About this,

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.399
 This morning,

00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:24.700
 Of walking,

00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.119
 In this way,

00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.700
 A place we haven't been,

00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:29.180
 And yet a place,

00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.580
 We belong to,

00:31:30.620 --> 00:31:31.400
 Or we should long,

00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:32.799
 To belong to,

00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:33.779
 To be citizenship,

00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.820
 Our citizenship,

00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:35.560
 To be,

00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:36.900
 In heaven,

00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:39.039
 And Paul is writing this,

00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.560
 As a warning,

00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:42.420
 He's writing it,

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.420
 As a warning,

00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:44.880
 And he does it,

00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.840
 As we see here,

00:31:46.060 --> 00:31:46.560
 This morning,

00:31:46.620 --> 00:31:47.460
 In three ways,

00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:47.900
 He says,

00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:49.320
 There's a way to walk,

00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.000
 Right,

00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.460
 A way to walk,

00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.640
 Rightly in this life,

00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.900
 There's a way to walk,

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.660
 Wrongly,

00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:56.200
 But ultimately,

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.279
 That we are to walk,

00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.700
 With a sense of,

00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.620
 Direction,

00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:01.200
 And so,

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:01.680
 We're going to look,

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.740
 At these three things,

00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:03.740
 Walking rightly,

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.539
 Walking wrongly,

00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:06.920
 And walking,

00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.620
 With direction,

00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.960
 So first of all,

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.860
 We see walking,

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.900
 Rightly,

00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:14.059
 In order to walk,

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.400
 As citizens,

00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:16.319
 Of heaven,

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.000
 We are to see,

00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:18.319
 Well,

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:19.620
 What should our walk,

00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.819
 Entail,

00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:22.679
 And Paul begins there,

00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.399
 In verse 17,

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.000
 By saying,

00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:26.659
 Join in imitating me,

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.079
 And keep your eyes,

00:32:28.139 --> 00:32:29.200
 On those who walk,

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.799
 According to the example,

00:32:30.939 --> 00:32:31.500
 You have seen,

00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.700
 In us,

00:32:32.919 --> 00:32:33.099
 Now,

00:32:33.439 --> 00:32:35.279
 Is this just a selfish,

00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:36.399
 Way,

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:38.179
 Of looking at things,

00:32:39.419 --> 00:32:40.839
 It's not,

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.059
 Paul isn't,

00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.460
 Like I say,

00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.259
 Promoting,

00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.539
 Himself,

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.579
 He's always,

00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.819
 Promoting,

00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.819
 Christ,

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:50.339
 And what he is saying,

00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.039
 Here is,

00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.259
 Unless,

00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.439
 You walk,

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.960
 In this way,

00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.779
 You will be lost,

00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.799
 Unless,

00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:00.859
 You follow,

00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.460
 As in the example,

00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.359
 Of walking,

00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.159
 With Christ,

00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.379
 And for Christ,

00:33:06.179 --> 00:33:07.159
 You will be lost,

00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.619
 And that's the warning,

00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:09.859
 That he has given,

00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:10.779
 And that's what we'll see,

00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.759
 In our second point,

00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.960
 As we come to it later,

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.059
 But he's saying,

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:15.119
 Unless you walk,

00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.279
 In this way,

00:33:16.379 --> 00:33:16.879
 So he's saying,

00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:18.179
 You are to walk,

00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:19.279
 Imitating,

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.220
 Us,

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.480
 And Paul is,

00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:24.299
 Is not selfish,

00:33:25.060 --> 00:33:27.220
 Paul is looking to those around him,

00:33:27.820 --> 00:33:29.620
 And saying,

00:33:30.080 --> 00:33:31.560
 We're not living for ourselves,

00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:33.320
 We're living for Christ,

00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.519
 In chapter 1,

00:33:34.600 --> 00:33:35.720
 Verse 27,

00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:37.180
 He says there,

00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.160
 Earlier in this letter,

00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.080
 Only let your manner of life,

00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.779
 Be worthy of the gospel,

00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.220
 Of Christ,

00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.320
 Let your walk,

00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:47.740
 Be worthy of the gospel,

00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:49.180
 Of Christ,

00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:51.359
 So Christ,

00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.960
 Is the focus,

00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:55.640
 He talks in this letter too,

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:58.160
 About those who are preaching the gospel,

00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:59.160
 For the wrong,

00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.180
 With the wrong attitude,

00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.779
 Or for selfish reasons,

00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:03.220
 But what does he say,

00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:05.319
 We want the gospel to advance,

00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:07.319
 We want Christ to be preached,

00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:09.280
 At whatever cost,

00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:12.039
 He says too,

00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.739
 That wonderful statement,

00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:14.539
 That he makes,

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.780
 When he's talking about,

00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:16.900
 Being home with the Lord,

00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.900
 Or being with the people,

00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.320
 He says,

00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:19.340
 For me to live,

00:34:19.640 --> 00:34:20.800
 Is Christ,

00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.519
 And to die,

00:34:23.160 --> 00:34:23.840
 Is gain,

00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.580
 So,

00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:27.180
 He's not being selfish,

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.920
 He's not saying,

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.060
 Imitate me,

00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.780
 In that selfish way,

00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.540
 He's always got Christ,

00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.320
 In mind,

00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:35.660
 He says,

00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.500
 To live humbly,

00:34:36.580 --> 00:34:37.640
 Is to look to the example,

00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:40.059
 Of the humility of Christ,

00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:42.340
 Who endured the cross,

00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.700
 He has said,

00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:45.300
 That there is nothing compared,

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:47.380
 To the surpassing worth,

00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:49.019
 Of knowing Christ Jesus,

00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:50.360
 As my Lord,

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:50.920
 He said,

00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.340
 I am pressing on,

00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:53.580
 Towards the goal,

00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:54.720
 Of the upward call,

00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:56.920
 Of God and Christ Jesus,

00:34:57.180 --> 00:34:59.900
 It's all about Christ,

00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:01.940
 So,

00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:03.460
 He's not promoting self,

00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:04.579
 He's not saying,

00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.920
 Just imitate me,

00:35:06.160 --> 00:35:06.820
 In this way,

00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:07.360
 But he's saying,

00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:08.200
 Here am I,

00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:09.180
 As an example,

00:35:09.180 --> 00:35:09.900
 Of one,

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.280
 Who has been changed,

00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.480
 By Christ,

00:35:12.660 --> 00:35:13.360
 Who has known,

00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.519
 The love of Christ,

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.300
 And we see other,

00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:17.099
 Examples around us,

00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:17.800
 Of so many,

00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:19.220
 Who have been transformed,

00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:19.820
 By Christ,

00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:20.700
 Look to us,

00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.539
 And see here,

00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:23.880
 Is a life worth living,

00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.519
 Here is something,

00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:27.180
 Worth pressing on,

00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.099
 Towards,

00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:29.380
 We're not perfect,

00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.280
 He is saying,

00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.160
 We're not,

00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:32.500
 Without fault,

00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:33.519
 We have faults,

00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:35.460
 But we are pressing on,

00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.380
 There was a man,

00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:39.720
 Called Pablo,

00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:41.160
 Casals,

00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:43.160
 And he was a famous,

00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:44.460
 Cello player,

00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:45.260
 He,

00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:46.760
 Was one of the best,

00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.340
 Apparently,

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:48.519
 Who played the cello,

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:50.300
 And he played the instrument,

00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:51.280
 And he wrote music,

00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.559
 Most of his life,

00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:54.880
 But late in his life,

00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:55.960
 He was apparently,

00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:57.039
 Interviewed by a person,

00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.800
 And this was either,

00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.800
 Maybe in his 60s,

00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.660
 Or 70s,

00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:00.500
 And he was,

00:36:00.580 --> 00:36:01.560
 World renowned,

00:36:01.740 --> 00:36:02.460
 For one of the best,

00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.580
 Players of the cello,

00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.560
 And he was asked,

00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:06.420
 Why do you still practice,

00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:08.360
 Five or six hours a day,

00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.380
 Surely you're,

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.080
 You're good enough,

00:36:11.220 --> 00:36:11.780
 Now you're,

00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.500
 You're one of the best,

00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:13.320
 Or the best,

00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:15.480
 But his response,

00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.260
 Was this,

00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:18.000
 I practice,

00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:19.039
 Because I think,

00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:20.519
 I'm making progress,

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:23.780
 There was humility there,

00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:26.000
 You can't dwell,

00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.019
 On just being good,

00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.659
 At something,

00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:29.340
 You kept practicing,

00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.579
 You kept making,

00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:31.440
 Progress,

00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:33.099
 And that's,

00:36:33.199 --> 00:36:34.260
 The Christian life,

00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.980
 It's not about,

00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:37.240
 Becoming a Christian,

00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.760
 And you've made it,

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.360
 That's it,

00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.019
 You've arrived,

00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:40.880
 You've got it all,

00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:41.820
 Sorted,

00:36:41.820 --> 00:36:44.600
 It's about putting into practice,

00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.740
 The disciplines,

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:47.300
 Of godly life,

00:36:48.100 --> 00:36:49.620
 And practicing these things,

00:36:49.780 --> 00:36:50.180
 Daily,

00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:51.480
 In order that we,

00:36:51.680 --> 00:36:52.539
 Maybe even just say,

00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:54.000
 I think I'm making,

00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:54.940
 Progress,

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.980
 Not in myself,

00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:58.820
 But in knowing,

00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.440
 Christ Jesus,

00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.460
 Pablo Casals,

00:37:02.580 --> 00:37:03.500
 Is a good example,

00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:04.860
 For musicians,

00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.760
 To follow,

00:37:06.820 --> 00:37:09.180
 But when we look at Paul,

00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:10.500
 And what he's saying here,

00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.140
 And what he has,

00:37:11.139 --> 00:37:11.879
 With others,

00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:13.139
 Around me,

00:37:13.299 --> 00:37:13.579
 Saying,

00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:15.460
 We are to look to examples,

00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.359
 Around us,

00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:16.839
 And think,

00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:18.599
 I want to press on,

00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:21.039
 I want to imitate,

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:22.799
 Godly people,

00:37:23.359 --> 00:37:24.400
 But ultimately,

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:26.739
 I want to imitate,

00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:27.960
 Christ,

00:37:29.339 --> 00:37:30.539
 It is good to surround,

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:32.159
 Ourselves with godly,

00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:33.239
 Examples,

00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:34.779
 To have godly examples,

00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:35.759
 In our homes,

00:37:36.199 --> 00:37:37.000
 In our workplaces,

00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:37.779
 In our community,

00:37:38.139 --> 00:37:39.359
 It's good to be,

00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:40.719
 Godly examples,

00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:42.299
 In all of these places,

00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:45.799
 But we look at that,

00:37:45.899 --> 00:37:46.239
 And think,

00:37:46.319 --> 00:37:47.500
 Well I'm not perfect,

00:37:48.759 --> 00:37:49.980
 And neither was Paul,

00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:50.719
 When you look at verse,

00:37:50.799 --> 00:37:52.339
 12 to 16,

00:37:52.459 --> 00:37:52.779
 He says,

00:37:52.839 --> 00:37:53.659
 I do not consider,

00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:55.599
 That I have made it my own,

00:37:56.199 --> 00:37:57.879
 I'm still making progress,

00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:59.399
 I'm not perfect,

00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:01.219
 But I'm pressing on,

00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:04.119
 He's in a fight,

00:38:04.199 --> 00:38:05.639
 Just like we're in a fight,

00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:07.879
 We have sin,

00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:09.299
 All around us,

00:38:09.359 --> 00:38:09.920
 We have things,

00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:10.980
 That will trouble us,

00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.179
 All our days,

00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:13.579
 We live in a world,

00:38:13.699 --> 00:38:14.440
 That is always,

00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.759
 A constant fight,

00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:16.980
 Against becoming,

00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:18.739
 Just part of this world,

00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:23.099
 But Paul says,

00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:24.539
 We press on,

00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:25.579
 And where is he looking,

00:38:25.679 --> 00:38:26.500
 He's looking up,

00:38:27.239 --> 00:38:28.000
 He's looking,

00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:29.440
 To Christ,

00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:32.179
 And so we too,

00:38:32.740 --> 00:38:34.099
 Should fix our eyes,

00:38:34.280 --> 00:38:34.900
 On him,

00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:36.360
 When you look at,

00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:37.320
 Sports,

00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.500
 Sporting events,

00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:40.800
 And the end of a sporting event,

00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:41.519
 Whether it's a,

00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:42.740
 Football match,

00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:43.480
 Or a race,

00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:45.119
 You see those who have lost,

00:38:45.240 --> 00:38:47.039
 Their eyes are just to the ground,

00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:48.220
 Defeated,

00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.039
 Dismayed,

00:38:49.220 --> 00:38:50.280
 By the outcome,

00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.780
 But those who have won,

00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:54.320
 Their heads are lifted high,

00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:55.300
 They're looking up,

00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:56.440
 Victorious,

00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:56.960
 Victorious,

00:38:57.380 --> 00:38:59.559
 And that's how we want,

00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:01.340
 To walk with God,

00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:02.659
 Looking up,

00:39:02.800 --> 00:39:03.860
 Because he,

00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:05.300
 Is victorious,

00:39:06.119 --> 00:39:07.579
 And he shows us,

00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:08.639
 The way,

00:39:09.240 --> 00:39:10.980
 So we are to walk rightly,

00:39:11.619 --> 00:39:13.420
 But the second warning here,

00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:14.539
 Is that there is a way,

00:39:14.700 --> 00:39:16.300
 Of walking wrongly,

00:39:17.200 --> 00:39:18.840
 And we see that in verse 18,

00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:20.619
 For many,

00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:22.599
 Of whom I have often told you,

00:39:22.659 --> 00:39:23.059
 And now,

00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:25.360
 Tell you even with tears,

00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:27.260
 Walk as enemies,

00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.940
 Of the cross,

00:39:29.180 --> 00:39:29.960
 Of Christ,

00:39:30.800 --> 00:39:32.500
 Their end is destruction,

00:39:33.160 --> 00:39:34.519
 Their God is their belly,

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:36.780
 And they glory in their shame,

00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:40.519
 With minds set on earthly things,

00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:44.460
 So there's the warning here,

00:39:44.539 --> 00:39:45.240
 Of the opposite,

00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:47.260
 Of walking with God,

00:39:47.920 --> 00:39:49.579
 And looking to Christ,

00:39:50.200 --> 00:39:52.660
 It's walking for ourselves,

00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:54.760
 Walking as enemies,

00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:56.380
 Of the cross,

00:39:57.440 --> 00:39:59.300
 And what a serious warning,

00:39:59.780 --> 00:40:00.940
 That is for us,

00:40:00.980 --> 00:40:02.099
 And how easy it is,

00:40:02.180 --> 00:40:02.880
 To slip,

00:40:03.260 --> 00:40:04.400
 Into this way,

00:40:04.740 --> 00:40:05.400
 Of living,

00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:05.920
 And that's why,

00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:08.059
 He warns so strongly here,

00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.300
 He says,

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:09.240
 I even warn you,

00:40:09.680 --> 00:40:11.620
 With tears in my eyes,

00:40:11.680 --> 00:40:13.240
 It causes some pain,

00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:14.900
 It causes some grief,

00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:15.920
 To see people,

00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:17.640
 Living without Christ,

00:40:18.740 --> 00:40:20.079
 And that's a great pain,

00:40:20.380 --> 00:40:21.900
 For any Christian too,

00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:22.940
 To think of people,

00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:24.780
 Living without Christ,

00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:26.659
 Enemies of the cross,

00:40:27.260 --> 00:40:27.980
 Their end,

00:40:28.400 --> 00:40:29.599
 Is destruction,

00:40:30.599 --> 00:40:32.619
 And that should grieve us,

00:40:33.119 --> 00:40:34.579
 That should help us,

00:40:34.679 --> 00:40:35.360
 To pray,

00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:36.920
 All the more earnestly,

00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:38.159
 For people to come,

00:40:38.639 --> 00:40:39.300
 To Christ,

00:40:39.300 --> 00:40:41.680
 And he says here,

00:40:42.140 --> 00:40:43.400
 Enemies of the cross,

00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.420
 They have their minds,

00:40:44.760 --> 00:40:47.500
 Set on earthly things,

00:40:48.539 --> 00:40:50.000
 The God of this world,

00:40:50.160 --> 00:40:51.340
 As Paul describes,

00:40:51.600 --> 00:40:53.260
 In this letter to the Corinthians,

00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:55.220
 Has blinded their eyes,

00:40:56.480 --> 00:40:57.720
 They cannot see past,

00:40:57.719 --> 00:40:58.819
 This world,

00:40:58.980 --> 00:41:00.339
 And the things of it,

00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.159
 All their hearts,

00:41:02.259 --> 00:41:03.599
 Desire us for things,

00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:04.879
 Down below,

00:41:05.699 --> 00:41:06.959
 Down here on the world,

00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:07.539
 And we think,

00:41:07.819 --> 00:41:09.059
 We can be satisfied,

00:41:09.659 --> 00:41:11.559
 And Paul is warning here,

00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:12.879
 That there is a danger,

00:41:12.879 --> 00:41:13.539
 For anyone,

00:41:14.059 --> 00:41:15.699
 To fall back into this way,

00:41:15.759 --> 00:41:16.839
 He's writing to the church,

00:41:16.919 --> 00:41:17.599
 At Philippi,

00:41:18.099 --> 00:41:19.279
 He's writing for those,

00:41:19.339 --> 00:41:21.319
 Who have gone back into this,

00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:22.980
 They are now,

00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:24.399
 Walking as enemies,

00:41:24.779 --> 00:41:26.059
 Of the cross,

00:41:26.059 --> 00:41:29.360
 And so there's a warning,

00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:31.079
 For all of us,

00:41:31.639 --> 00:41:34.559
 Don't get caught up in this,

00:41:35.679 --> 00:41:38.039
 Don't fall back into the ways,

00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:39.340
 Of the world,

00:41:39.639 --> 00:41:42.099
 Keep your spiritual training,

00:41:42.340 --> 00:41:44.659
 Keep your spiritual growth going,

00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:47.579
 Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus,

00:41:47.699 --> 00:41:49.860
 Because take your eyes off for a minute,

00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:52.139
 And it can be fatal,

00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:55.279
 What can seem harmless,

00:41:56.059 --> 00:41:57.179
 Can kill you,

00:41:58.279 --> 00:41:59.500
 And we're often given,

00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:02.539
 Warnings about these kinds of things,

00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.340
 For example,

00:42:05.019 --> 00:42:05.679
 Think of this,

00:42:05.759 --> 00:42:06.940
 What's more dangerous,

00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:09.199
 Shark attacks,

00:42:09.799 --> 00:42:12.420
 Or taking selfie photos,

00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:14.920
 Well you say to yourself,

00:42:15.099 --> 00:42:16.619
 Shark attacks,

00:42:16.820 --> 00:42:18.139
 Have to be more dangerous,

00:42:18.259 --> 00:42:20.039
 There's more danger in a shark attack,

00:42:20.360 --> 00:42:21.299
 Than a simplest,

00:42:21.559 --> 00:42:22.320
 Harmless thing,

00:42:22.420 --> 00:42:24.279
 Such as taking a selfie photo,

00:42:24.280 --> 00:42:25.980
 And yet,

00:42:26.220 --> 00:42:27.480
 Just a few years ago,

00:42:27.720 --> 00:42:29.380
 In the space of one year,

00:42:29.460 --> 00:42:31.060
 This was the statistics,

00:42:32.060 --> 00:42:34.220
 Five people were killed,

00:42:34.620 --> 00:42:35.760
 In shark attacks,

00:42:35.900 --> 00:42:36.440
 In the world,

00:42:37.640 --> 00:42:40.500
 29 people died,

00:42:40.980 --> 00:42:41.940
 Taking selfies,

00:42:42.660 --> 00:42:43.740
 And you say to yourself,

00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:45.920
 Well how can that possibly be,

00:42:46.380 --> 00:42:48.680
 They're looking for the perfect selfie,

00:42:48.679 --> 00:42:50.739
 They're looking for something,

00:42:50.839 --> 00:42:52.000
 That's going to make people say,

00:42:52.159 --> 00:42:52.539
 Wow,

00:42:52.940 --> 00:42:55.079
 Whether it's hanging over a cliff edge,

00:42:55.139 --> 00:42:57.639
 Or trying to get in front of a moving object,

00:42:58.139 --> 00:42:59.899
 And it's been fatal for them,

00:43:00.799 --> 00:43:02.440
 They've been unaware of the danger,

00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:03.739
 That's around them,

00:43:03.739 --> 00:43:05.339
 And it's costing their life,

00:43:05.899 --> 00:43:07.799
 When you think of shark attacks,

00:43:07.859 --> 00:43:08.519
 And you're warned,

00:43:08.619 --> 00:43:09.659
 You're on your guard,

00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:11.039
 You're looking out,

00:43:11.239 --> 00:43:12.799
 And there's lifeguards posted,

00:43:12.960 --> 00:43:14.619
 In places where it's dangerous,

00:43:14.619 --> 00:43:18.519
 And so few people lose their life to that,

00:43:19.739 --> 00:43:21.339
 But the simple things,

00:43:21.659 --> 00:43:23.500
 Can catch us off guard,

00:43:24.420 --> 00:43:25.500
 And that's the warning,

00:43:25.839 --> 00:43:27.960
 That Paul is giving here,

00:43:29.119 --> 00:43:30.639
 Their God is their belly,

00:43:31.059 --> 00:43:32.500
 They glory in their shame,

00:43:32.619 --> 00:43:35.960
 With minds set on earthly things,

00:43:36.079 --> 00:43:39.679
 There is a danger in living this way,

00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:41.599
 John Newton,

00:43:42.159 --> 00:43:44.159
 The one who wrote Amazing Grace,

00:43:44.159 --> 00:43:46.259
 He was one who experienced,

00:43:46.259 --> 00:43:48.299
 Many dangers in this world,

00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:50.420
 He lived for this world,

00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:51.159
 For a time,

00:43:51.559 --> 00:43:53.619
 He tried to satisfy his desires,

00:43:53.719 --> 00:43:55.799
 With everything this world could offer,

00:43:56.960 --> 00:43:58.719
 Legal and illegal,

00:43:59.739 --> 00:44:01.440
 And he thought this was it,

00:44:02.279 --> 00:44:02.659
 And yet,

00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:04.319
 After his conversion,

00:44:04.480 --> 00:44:05.679
 He wrote so many hymns,

00:44:05.779 --> 00:44:06.599
 Powerful hymns,

00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.079
 And one of them,

00:44:07.440 --> 00:44:08.319
 He says this,

00:44:09.219 --> 00:44:11.539
 Fading is the whirling's pleasure,

00:44:11.539 --> 00:44:14.500
 All his boasted pomp and show,

00:44:15.059 --> 00:44:17.559
 Solid joys and lasting treasure,

00:44:18.239 --> 00:44:21.460
 None but Sion's children know,

00:44:21.940 --> 00:44:26.719
 Solid joys and lasting treasure,

00:44:27.279 --> 00:44:30.679
 None but Sion's children know,

00:44:31.380 --> 00:44:32.599
 What is he saying there?

00:44:32.639 --> 00:44:33.059
 He's saying,

00:44:33.139 --> 00:44:33.259
 You know,

00:44:33.260 --> 00:44:35.520
 I once had all the joy,

00:44:35.520 --> 00:44:36.240
 All the joy this life,

00:44:36.560 --> 00:44:38.580
 Of this life and world could offer,

00:44:39.080 --> 00:44:40.520
 I was so satisfied,

00:44:40.520 --> 00:44:41.420
 And so happy,

00:44:41.520 --> 00:44:42.720
 I had everything,

00:44:42.860 --> 00:44:44.200
 And I had to give it up,

00:44:44.480 --> 00:44:46.100
 When I became a Christian,

00:44:47.640 --> 00:44:47.900
 No,

00:44:47.940 --> 00:44:48.920
 He's saying the opposite,

00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:50.980
 He's saying everything,

00:44:51.120 --> 00:44:53.180
 That I thought could give me joy,

00:44:53.580 --> 00:44:54.360
 And satisfaction,

00:44:54.720 --> 00:44:56.220
 Everything that could fill my heart,

00:44:56.280 --> 00:44:56.840
 With pleasure,

00:44:57.160 --> 00:44:58.300
 I thought I had it,

00:44:58.500 --> 00:44:59.440
 It was nothing,

00:44:59.440 --> 00:45:01.679
 It was nothing,

00:45:01.800 --> 00:45:03.639
 Compared to the solid joys,

00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:05.380
 And lasting treasure,

00:45:05.900 --> 00:45:07.380
 Of knowing Christ,

00:45:08.119 --> 00:45:10.980
 Because where did all of these worldly things,

00:45:11.119 --> 00:45:12.420
 Leave John Newton?

00:45:13.420 --> 00:45:14.420
 In the belly,

00:45:14.760 --> 00:45:16.659
 Of a sinking slave ship,

00:45:17.480 --> 00:45:18.960
 Knowing that his soul,

00:45:19.220 --> 00:45:20.519
 Was lost and perishing,

00:45:21.179 --> 00:45:22.400
 Until he cried out,

00:45:22.740 --> 00:45:23.440
 To the Lord,

00:45:24.559 --> 00:45:25.480
 And the Lord,

00:45:26.019 --> 00:45:26.679
 Saved him,

00:45:26.679 --> 00:45:31.039
 And that's just like what Paul says,

00:45:32.219 --> 00:45:33.079
 As well,

00:45:33.219 --> 00:45:35.379
 That compared to the surpassing worth,

00:45:35.460 --> 00:45:36.659
 In verse 8,

00:45:36.759 --> 00:45:37.879
 I count everything as lost,

00:45:37.960 --> 00:45:39.460
 Because of the surpassing worth,

00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:41.519
 Of knowing Christ Jesus,

00:45:41.859 --> 00:45:42.559
 My Lord,

00:45:43.119 --> 00:45:44.719
 That is what counts,

00:45:45.199 --> 00:45:46.519
 That is what makes,

00:45:46.519 --> 00:45:47.859
 The difference,

00:45:49.179 --> 00:45:50.319
 The warning is clear,

00:45:50.440 --> 00:45:51.099
 Don't live,

00:45:51.599 --> 00:45:53.039
 For worldly treasure,

00:45:53.219 --> 00:45:53.779
 And pleasure,

00:45:54.819 --> 00:45:56.639
 Another Christian put it this way,

00:45:56.679 --> 00:45:57.440
 For the worldling,

00:45:57.899 --> 00:45:59.919
 Their gold is their God,

00:46:00.799 --> 00:46:02.199
 For the believer,

00:46:02.799 --> 00:46:03.779
 Their God,

00:46:04.259 --> 00:46:05.539
 Is their gold,

00:46:06.319 --> 00:46:07.639
 The difference,

00:46:08.399 --> 00:46:09.279
 Is stark,

00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:12.399
 And it's clear for us here,

00:46:13.000 --> 00:46:15.079
 As living as enemies of the cross,

00:46:15.219 --> 00:46:16.980
 Walking in this way,

00:46:17.460 --> 00:46:19.460
 Their end is destruction,

00:46:20.000 --> 00:46:22.059
 Because their minds are set,

00:46:22.759 --> 00:46:24.500
 On earthly things,

00:46:24.500 --> 00:46:26.480
 That is not,

00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.500
 That is not,

00:46:26.500 --> 00:46:28.039
 How to walk,

00:46:28.619 --> 00:46:30.500
 We are to walk,

00:46:30.780 --> 00:46:31.619
 In a manner,

00:46:31.880 --> 00:46:32.480
 Worthy,

00:46:32.960 --> 00:46:33.719
 Of God,

00:46:33.719 --> 00:46:36.500
 But the last thing,

00:46:36.579 --> 00:46:37.679
 We see here is,

00:46:38.179 --> 00:46:38.900
 That our walk,

00:46:39.079 --> 00:46:39.980
 Should always have,

00:46:40.460 --> 00:46:41.159
 A sense,

00:46:41.519 --> 00:46:42.400
 Of direction,

00:46:42.619 --> 00:46:45.079
 He warns about,

00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:46.199
 Minds being set,

00:46:46.300 --> 00:46:47.260
 On earthly things,

00:46:47.340 --> 00:46:48.400
 But then in verse 20,

00:46:48.500 --> 00:46:48.960
 He says,

00:46:48.960 --> 00:46:49.960
 But,

00:46:49.960 --> 00:46:53.240
 But our citizenship,

00:46:53.240 --> 00:46:54.940
 Is in heaven,

00:46:55.440 --> 00:46:56.599
 And from it,

00:46:56.760 --> 00:46:58.139
 We await a saviour,

00:46:58.740 --> 00:47:00.820
 The Lord Jesus Christ,

00:47:00.820 --> 00:47:02.579
 So again,

00:47:02.840 --> 00:47:04.280
 He's lifting us,

00:47:04.400 --> 00:47:05.679
 To look not to him,

00:47:06.039 --> 00:47:07.760
 But to Christ,

00:47:08.679 --> 00:47:10.059
 We are to have our minds,

00:47:10.059 --> 00:47:12.059
 Set on him,

00:47:12.119 --> 00:47:13.159
 We are to look up,

00:47:13.159 --> 00:47:14.280
 To Christ,

00:47:14.280 --> 00:47:15.300
 We are citizens,

00:47:15.780 --> 00:47:16.519
 Of heaven,

00:47:16.880 --> 00:47:18.160
 As we put our trust,

00:47:18.700 --> 00:47:19.540
 In Christ,

00:47:20.740 --> 00:47:21.700
 Many in Philippi,

00:47:21.760 --> 00:47:22.380
 As I said earlier,

00:47:22.480 --> 00:47:24.340
 Were Roman citizens,

00:47:25.060 --> 00:47:27.000
 They'd never been to Rome,

00:47:27.940 --> 00:47:29.160
 They'd enjoyed,

00:47:29.260 --> 00:47:30.180
 All the privileges,

00:47:30.180 --> 00:47:31.600
 Of having their citizenship,

00:47:32.140 --> 00:47:33.660
 But they'd never actually,

00:47:33.800 --> 00:47:34.640
 Been there,

00:47:36.320 --> 00:47:37.800
 And doesn't that remind us,

00:47:38.000 --> 00:47:39.360
 Of what the believer,

00:47:39.360 --> 00:47:40.380
 Has to,

00:47:41.460 --> 00:47:42.380
 A citizenship,

00:47:42.380 --> 00:47:43.740
 In heaven,

00:47:43.860 --> 00:47:45.140
 We've not been there,

00:47:45.980 --> 00:47:47.340
 But through,

00:47:47.519 --> 00:47:49.420
 God's work in us,

00:47:50.039 --> 00:47:51.539
 And his grace to us,

00:47:51.660 --> 00:47:53.039
 Through his word to us,

00:47:53.460 --> 00:47:54.420
 We experience,

00:47:54.420 --> 00:47:56.039
 The blessings of heaven,

00:47:56.619 --> 00:47:57.900
 We experience,

00:47:58.039 --> 00:47:58.640
 The fellowship,

00:47:59.140 --> 00:47:59.820
 And the grace,

00:47:59.860 --> 00:48:00.440
 Of knowing,

00:48:00.880 --> 00:48:01.740
 Christ Jesus,

00:48:02.660 --> 00:48:03.980
 We see,

00:48:04.180 --> 00:48:04.720
 That here,

00:48:04.720 --> 00:48:06.400
 Is not our home,

00:48:07.559 --> 00:48:08.860
 But we are on,

00:48:09.599 --> 00:48:10.200
 A journey,

00:48:10.199 --> 00:48:12.739
 How often,

00:48:12.799 --> 00:48:13.699
 Have you been asked,

00:48:14.039 --> 00:48:15.159
 Where are you from,

00:48:16.039 --> 00:48:17.559
 When you meet someone,

00:48:18.019 --> 00:48:19.299
 For the first time,

00:48:19.339 --> 00:48:20.099
 Or when you're away,

00:48:20.399 --> 00:48:21.539
 Visiting other places,

00:48:21.679 --> 00:48:22.299
 Someone will ask,

00:48:22.480 --> 00:48:23.319
 Where are you from,

00:48:24.439 --> 00:48:25.579
 And you're able to answer,

00:48:25.799 --> 00:48:26.719
 And tell them,

00:48:27.039 --> 00:48:27.819
 Where you're from,

00:48:27.919 --> 00:48:29.199
 Be it from the island here,

00:48:29.319 --> 00:48:29.579
 Somewhere,

00:48:29.659 --> 00:48:30.699
 Or from somewhere else,

00:48:30.759 --> 00:48:31.500
 But living here,

00:48:31.559 --> 00:48:32.259
 You're able to say,

00:48:32.559 --> 00:48:34.059
 Well this is where I'm from,

00:48:35.059 --> 00:48:35.879
 And as islanders,

00:48:35.939 --> 00:48:36.659
 We certainly have,

00:48:36.659 --> 00:48:37.480
 That sense of,

00:48:37.799 --> 00:48:38.579
 Belonging,

00:48:38.579 --> 00:48:39.819
 To a place here,

00:48:39.900 --> 00:48:40.880
 This is my home,

00:48:41.679 --> 00:48:43.099
 But how often,

00:48:43.159 --> 00:48:43.960
 Are you asked,

00:48:44.559 --> 00:48:45.880
 Where are you going,

00:48:47.880 --> 00:48:49.819
 Where's your life journey,

00:48:50.460 --> 00:48:51.159
 Taking you,

00:48:51.779 --> 00:48:53.480
 And how would you answer,

00:48:54.000 --> 00:48:55.079
 That question,

00:48:55.679 --> 00:48:57.659
 For those,

00:48:57.860 --> 00:48:58.679
 Who trust,

00:48:59.299 --> 00:49:00.059
 In Christ,

00:49:01.579 --> 00:49:02.799
 Our life is,

00:49:03.099 --> 00:49:04.299
 No longer determined,

00:49:04.440 --> 00:49:06.099
 By where we're from,

00:49:06.099 --> 00:49:08.239
 It's more about,

00:49:09.019 --> 00:49:09.299
 Where,

00:49:09.299 --> 00:49:09.360
 Where,

00:49:09.360 --> 00:49:10.599
 Where we're going,

00:49:11.019 --> 00:49:13.480
 Where we're looking,

00:49:14.000 --> 00:49:14.239
 To,

00:49:15.420 --> 00:49:16.860
 And who we're looking to,

00:49:17.299 --> 00:49:18.139
 To be there,

00:49:18.860 --> 00:49:21.539
 If you've ever been homesick,

00:49:21.980 --> 00:49:22.940
 You know,

00:49:23.139 --> 00:49:24.739
 What a horrible experience,

00:49:25.199 --> 00:49:25.759
 It is,

00:49:26.199 --> 00:49:27.099
 Having to go away,

00:49:27.199 --> 00:49:27.900
 And leave family,

00:49:28.019 --> 00:49:28.559
 And friends,

00:49:28.699 --> 00:49:29.279
 And maybe go and,

00:49:29.639 --> 00:49:31.039
 Work in a different place,

00:49:31.079 --> 00:49:32.519
 Or travel to a different place,

00:49:32.579 --> 00:49:33.059
 And a feeling,

00:49:33.420 --> 00:49:34.440
 Of homesick,

00:49:34.440 --> 00:49:36.740
 It's a horrible experience,

00:49:36.900 --> 00:49:37.240
 But,

00:49:37.559 --> 00:49:38.179
 In the same way,

00:49:38.220 --> 00:49:38.860
 It's a blessing,

00:49:39.760 --> 00:49:40.539
 That there is,

00:49:40.539 --> 00:49:42.099
 That deep sense,

00:49:42.380 --> 00:49:43.260
 Of belonging,

00:49:43.400 --> 00:49:44.240
 A deep sense,

00:49:44.360 --> 00:49:45.039
 Of home,

00:49:45.599 --> 00:49:46.300
 That there is,

00:49:46.320 --> 00:49:47.500
 A special place,

00:49:47.500 --> 00:49:50.340
 But how often,

00:49:50.400 --> 00:49:51.280
 Are you homesick,

00:49:51.440 --> 00:49:52.440
 For heaven,

00:49:53.740 --> 00:49:54.519
 Here,

00:49:54.639 --> 00:49:55.200
 Paul is,

00:49:55.200 --> 00:49:56.280
 Is talking about it,

00:49:56.320 --> 00:49:56.800
 In this way,

00:49:56.880 --> 00:49:57.000
 But,

00:49:57.460 --> 00:49:58.559
 Our citizenship,

00:49:59.119 --> 00:50:00.119
 Is in heaven,

00:50:00.559 --> 00:50:01.300
 And from it,

00:50:01.300 --> 00:50:01.840
 We await,

00:50:01.840 --> 00:50:02.580
 A saviour,

00:50:03.080 --> 00:50:04.580
 The Lord Jesus Christ,

00:50:04.700 --> 00:50:05.200
 And then you see,

00:50:05.300 --> 00:50:06.500
 The hope that this gives,

00:50:06.900 --> 00:50:07.860
 Who will transform,

00:50:08.039 --> 00:50:09.080
 Our lowly body,

00:50:09.500 --> 00:50:10.140
 To be like,

00:50:10.260 --> 00:50:11.760
 His glorious body,

00:50:12.260 --> 00:50:12.940
 By the power,

00:50:13.080 --> 00:50:13.980
 That enables him,

00:50:14.019 --> 00:50:14.880
 Even to subject,

00:50:15.260 --> 00:50:16.280
 All things,

00:50:16.760 --> 00:50:17.400
 To himself,

00:50:17.500 --> 00:50:18.200
 The power,

00:50:18.340 --> 00:50:19.360
 Of Christ,

00:50:20.220 --> 00:50:22.340
 And the blessing,

00:50:22.720 --> 00:50:23.460
 Of Christ,

00:50:23.620 --> 00:50:24.480
 He will come,

00:50:25.660 --> 00:50:26.700
 And when he comes,

00:50:27.140 --> 00:50:28.019
 It is to take,

00:50:28.080 --> 00:50:28.720
 His people,

00:50:29.140 --> 00:50:29.440
 Home,

00:50:29.440 --> 00:50:32.059
 And that is a place,

00:50:32.300 --> 00:50:34.240
 That we can look forward,

00:50:34.659 --> 00:50:34.840
 To,

00:50:35.840 --> 00:50:36.780
 A place,

00:50:36.980 --> 00:50:37.700
 That keeps us,

00:50:37.700 --> 00:50:38.679
 Looking and longing,

00:50:39.500 --> 00:50:41.720
 We enjoy this world,

00:50:41.820 --> 00:50:42.260
 We enjoy,

00:50:42.440 --> 00:50:43.860
 So much of it,

00:50:43.940 --> 00:50:44.840
 And that is right,

00:50:44.960 --> 00:50:45.619
 That is good,

00:50:45.700 --> 00:50:46.599
 That we are to enjoy,

00:50:46.760 --> 00:50:48.260
 So much that this world,

00:50:48.380 --> 00:50:49.860
 Has to offer to us,

00:50:50.559 --> 00:50:52.400
 But what Paul is saying here,

00:50:52.519 --> 00:50:53.700
 Is don't let your minds,

00:50:53.700 --> 00:50:54.619
 Be set,

00:50:55.139 --> 00:50:56.320
 On earthly things,

00:50:56.720 --> 00:50:57.740
 That's the warning,

00:50:58.480 --> 00:50:59.300
 Because he says,

00:50:59.300 --> 00:51:00.180
 Our citizenship,

00:51:00.620 --> 00:51:01.519
 Is in heaven,

00:51:01.660 --> 00:51:03.160
 Keep your minds,

00:51:03.320 --> 00:51:04.039
 Set,

00:51:04.519 --> 00:51:05.820
 On looking up,

00:51:06.420 --> 00:51:07.640
 And looking to Jesus,

00:51:08.600 --> 00:51:10.220
 Because if we don't,

00:51:10.260 --> 00:51:10.780
 If we keep,

00:51:11.060 --> 00:51:11.519
 Looking,

00:51:12.080 --> 00:51:13.120
 To ourselves,

00:51:13.260 --> 00:51:13.980
 And to this world,

00:51:14.080 --> 00:51:14.900
 There is always,

00:51:15.080 --> 00:51:15.660
 The danger,

00:51:16.160 --> 00:51:17.160
 That we are vulnerable,

00:51:17.160 --> 00:51:18.140
 To the things,

00:51:18.400 --> 00:51:19.480
 Of this world,

00:51:20.440 --> 00:51:21.320
 And we end up,

00:51:21.380 --> 00:51:22.320
 Looking to things,

00:51:22.780 --> 00:51:24.220
 That cannot last,

00:51:24.760 --> 00:51:25.780
 That will perish,

00:51:25.780 --> 00:51:28.580
 But our citizenship,

00:51:28.780 --> 00:51:29.460
 Being in heaven,

00:51:30.000 --> 00:51:30.620
 We look,

00:51:31.120 --> 00:51:31.580
 To there,

00:51:31.740 --> 00:51:32.260
 To Jesus,

00:51:32.620 --> 00:51:33.360
 Who will come,

00:51:33.740 --> 00:51:34.360
 From there,

00:51:34.720 --> 00:51:36.100
 And that keeps us going,

00:51:36.180 --> 00:51:37.019
 That gives us,

00:51:37.580 --> 00:51:38.340
 A focus,

00:51:38.340 --> 00:51:40.620
 You may have seen,

00:51:40.700 --> 00:51:41.180
 In the news,

00:51:41.260 --> 00:51:41.780
 This week,

00:51:42.460 --> 00:51:42.960
 There was,

00:51:43.120 --> 00:51:44.340
 The European athletics,

00:51:44.500 --> 00:51:45.240
 Championships,

00:51:45.460 --> 00:51:46.220
 Taking place,

00:51:46.400 --> 00:51:46.700
 And there was,

00:51:46.780 --> 00:51:47.420
 One of the races,

00:51:47.660 --> 00:51:48.960
 It was a 20 kilometer,

00:51:49.440 --> 00:51:50.519
 Walking race,

00:51:50.519 --> 00:51:53.440
 And after,

00:51:53.860 --> 00:51:55.719
 20,000 kilometers,

00:51:56.000 --> 00:51:56.259
 Nearly,

00:51:56.360 --> 00:51:57.340
 At the end of the race,

00:51:57.460 --> 00:51:58.880
 There was this Spanish woman,

00:51:59.039 --> 00:52:00.280
 Who was just about,

00:52:00.380 --> 00:52:01.380
 To cross the line,

00:52:02.420 --> 00:52:03.519
 In third place,

00:52:03.599 --> 00:52:04.860
 To get a bronze medal,

00:52:05.880 --> 00:52:07.820
 About five or six meters,

00:52:07.820 --> 00:52:08.579
 From the end,

00:52:08.719 --> 00:52:09.980
 She thought she'd made it,

00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:11.280
 She started celebrating,

00:52:11.400 --> 00:52:12.619
 Putting her hands in the air,

00:52:13.079 --> 00:52:14.759
 Lifting her head up,

00:52:14.840 --> 00:52:15.699
 She was celebrating,

00:52:16.099 --> 00:52:16.880
 This achievement,

00:52:17.940 --> 00:52:19.619
 What she didn't realize,

00:52:19.619 --> 00:52:21.299
 Was there was a Ukrainian athlete,

00:52:21.380 --> 00:52:22.619
 That had come up beside her,

00:52:23.159 --> 00:52:23.920
 And pipped her,

00:52:24.239 --> 00:52:25.159
 At the finish line,

00:52:26.159 --> 00:52:27.239
 Two meters short,

00:52:28.259 --> 00:52:29.579
 She'd started celebrating,

00:52:29.779 --> 00:52:30.259
 Too early,

00:52:30.739 --> 00:52:31.900
 She'd taken her eyes,

00:52:32.299 --> 00:52:33.440
 Off the prize,

00:52:34.619 --> 00:52:35.699
 And she was pipped,

00:52:36.920 --> 00:52:38.880
 And as a warning to us,

00:52:40.099 --> 00:52:41.639
 Don't let anything,

00:52:41.799 --> 00:52:42.539
 In this world,

00:52:42.940 --> 00:52:43.759
 Distract you,

00:52:45.039 --> 00:52:46.000
 Keep your eyes,

00:52:46.719 --> 00:52:47.440
 Fixed,

00:52:47.659 --> 00:52:48.579
 On Jesus,

00:52:49.619 --> 00:52:51.519
 That's the example,

00:52:51.739 --> 00:52:52.319
 That Paul,

00:52:53.000 --> 00:52:54.259
 Gives to us here,

00:52:54.659 --> 00:52:56.119
 That's the example,

00:52:56.199 --> 00:52:57.159
 He gives to us,

00:52:57.500 --> 00:52:59.099
 Throughout this letter,

00:53:00.539 --> 00:53:01.719
 He says in verse,

00:53:02.159 --> 00:53:03.099
 14 there,

00:53:03.759 --> 00:53:04.799
 I press on,

00:53:04.940 --> 00:53:05.980
 Towards the goal,

00:53:06.099 --> 00:53:06.839
 For the prize,

00:53:06.900 --> 00:53:08.000
 Of the upward call,

00:53:08.079 --> 00:53:08.559
 Of God,

00:53:08.960 --> 00:53:10.099
 In Christ Jesus,

00:53:10.099 --> 00:53:13.219
 He has this one thing,

00:53:13.219 --> 00:53:14.559
 He does,

00:53:14.559 --> 00:53:16.940
 He says in verse 13,

00:53:17.900 --> 00:53:19.920
 But then he says in verse 1,

00:53:19.980 --> 00:53:20.839
 Of chapter 4,

00:53:20.980 --> 00:53:22.059
 Therefore my brothers,

00:53:22.179 --> 00:53:23.639
 Whom I love and long for,

00:53:23.719 --> 00:53:24.380
 My joy,

00:53:24.739 --> 00:53:25.579
 And my crown,

00:53:26.079 --> 00:53:27.659
 Stand firm thus,

00:53:27.819 --> 00:53:28.639
 In the Lord,

00:53:29.099 --> 00:53:29.819
 My beloved,

00:53:30.819 --> 00:53:32.719
 That is how he finishes,

00:53:32.719 --> 00:53:33.599
 This section,

00:53:34.599 --> 00:53:36.119
 Stand firm,

00:53:36.480 --> 00:53:37.460
 In the Lord,

00:53:37.460 --> 00:53:39.099
 Look,

00:53:39.099 --> 00:53:39.139
 Look,

00:53:39.139 --> 00:53:40.559
 To him,

00:53:41.559 --> 00:53:42.119
 Walk,

00:53:42.119 --> 00:53:43.519
 With him,

00:53:44.420 --> 00:53:45.800
 There's a right way,

00:53:46.039 --> 00:53:46.619
 To walk,

00:53:47.019 --> 00:53:48.420
 Looking to the example,

00:53:48.900 --> 00:53:49.740
 Of Christ,

00:53:50.720 --> 00:53:52.019
 There's a wrong way,

00:53:52.420 --> 00:53:52.980
 To walk,

00:53:53.559 --> 00:53:55.280
 As enemies of the cross,

00:53:55.380 --> 00:53:55.980
 Which leads,

00:53:56.539 --> 00:53:57.320
 To destruction,

00:53:58.639 --> 00:53:59.880
 But there's a direction,

00:54:00.179 --> 00:54:01.380
 To our walk as well,

00:54:02.139 --> 00:54:03.559
 As citizens of heaven,

00:54:04.199 --> 00:54:05.079
 We look there,

00:54:05.179 --> 00:54:06.340
 We look to a savior,

00:54:06.340 --> 00:54:07.100
 To come,

00:54:07.680 --> 00:54:09.200
 The Lord Jesus Christ,

00:54:09.860 --> 00:54:11.120
 We fix our eyes,

00:54:11.120 --> 00:54:11.820
 On him,

00:54:12.559 --> 00:54:13.940
 That we may receive,

00:54:14.100 --> 00:54:14.880
 The prize,

00:54:15.600 --> 00:54:16.980
 Of the upward calling,

00:54:17.519 --> 00:54:18.820
 Of Christ Jesus,

00:54:19.579 --> 00:54:21.240
 As our Lord,

00:54:21.800 --> 00:54:23.760
 May God help us,

00:54:24.019 --> 00:54:24.440
 Walk,

00:54:25.000 --> 00:54:25.340
 Run,

00:54:25.920 --> 00:54:26.460
 Rest,

00:54:26.800 --> 00:54:27.380
 In him,

00:54:28.019 --> 00:54:29.360
 That we might receive,

00:54:29.760 --> 00:54:30.680
 That prize,

00:54:30.840 --> 00:54:31.500
 Let us pray,

00:54:32.260 --> 00:54:34.500
 Our father,

00:54:34.500 --> 00:54:35.219
 In heaven,

00:54:35.219 --> 00:54:36.159
 We do thank you,

00:54:36.239 --> 00:54:37.780
 For every help,

00:54:37.860 --> 00:54:38.480
 And instruction,

00:54:38.679 --> 00:54:39.460
 You give to us,

00:54:39.500 --> 00:54:39.960
 We thank you,

00:54:40.000 --> 00:54:41.179
 For every moment,

00:54:41.260 --> 00:54:41.820
 Of grace,

00:54:41.980 --> 00:54:42.559
 And strength,

00:54:42.639 --> 00:54:43.699
 That you give to us,

00:54:44.219 --> 00:54:44.940
 We thank you,

00:54:45.019 --> 00:54:45.219
 Lord,

00:54:45.340 --> 00:54:46.980
 For your all sufficient,

00:54:47.519 --> 00:54:49.000
 Grace to us,

00:54:49.400 --> 00:54:50.699
 We pray to know it,

00:54:50.900 --> 00:54:51.300
 All the more,

00:54:51.940 --> 00:54:53.039
 That you will humble us,

00:54:53.079 --> 00:54:53.539
 When we need,

00:54:53.940 --> 00:54:55.179
 That sense of humility,

00:54:55.320 --> 00:54:56.559
 That you will lift us up,

00:54:56.639 --> 00:54:56.760
 Lord,

00:54:56.800 --> 00:54:58.179
 When we feel downcast,

00:54:58.239 --> 00:54:58.679
 That you will be,

00:54:58.679 --> 00:55:00.039
 All things to us,

00:55:00.639 --> 00:55:01.500
 And we ask that,

00:55:01.599 --> 00:55:02.539
 Looking to Jesus,

00:55:02.539 --> 00:55:04.099
 The only one,

00:55:04.519 --> 00:55:05.599
 Who is able to help,

00:55:05.659 --> 00:55:06.500
 And to satisfy,

00:55:07.119 --> 00:55:08.480
 Help us to keep our eyes,

00:55:08.519 --> 00:55:08.980
 On him,

00:55:09.480 --> 00:55:10.360
 As we ask it all,

00:55:10.420 --> 00:55:11.820
 The forgiveness of our sins,

00:55:11.980 --> 00:55:12.880
 In Jesus name,

00:55:13.360 --> 00:55:13.820
 Amen,

00:55:14.559 --> 00:55:15.940
 Amen,

00:55:15.940 --> 00:55:18.840
 We're going to conclude,

00:55:18.940 --> 00:55:19.420
 By singing,

00:55:19.940 --> 00:55:20.960
 To God's praise,

00:55:21.039 --> 00:55:22.219
 In Psalm 23,

00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:27.000
 It's the Sing Psalms version,

00:55:27.179 --> 00:55:28.119
 Psalm 23,

00:55:29.119 --> 00:55:29.940
 Page 28,

00:55:29.940 --> 00:55:30.780
 28,

00:55:30.900 --> 00:55:31.780
 Of the Psalm books,

00:55:31.860 --> 00:55:32.440
 We can sing,

00:55:32.519 --> 00:55:33.720
 The whole of this Psalm,

00:55:34.260 --> 00:55:35.679
 We know it well,

00:55:35.780 --> 00:55:36.440
 This Psalm,

00:55:37.220 --> 00:55:38.360
 We hear it often,

00:55:38.960 --> 00:55:40.280
 And yet it reminds us,

00:55:40.280 --> 00:55:41.179
 Of our journey,

00:55:41.900 --> 00:55:43.360
 Through this world,

00:55:43.780 --> 00:55:45.179
 And all the ups and downs,

00:55:46.000 --> 00:55:46.800
 But that we would keep,

00:55:46.880 --> 00:55:47.380
 The Lord,

00:55:47.900 --> 00:55:48.760
 As our shepherd,

00:55:48.840 --> 00:55:49.320
 That we would keep,

00:55:49.400 --> 00:55:50.720
 Our eyes on him,

00:55:51.179 --> 00:55:52.400
 And remember to,

00:55:52.500 --> 00:55:53.280
 The citizenship,

00:55:53.579 --> 00:55:54.099
 The place,

00:55:54.599 --> 00:55:55.360
 That awaits,

00:55:55.720 --> 00:55:57.159
 The Lord's people,

00:55:57.159 --> 00:55:57.819
 So we'll sing,

00:55:57.879 --> 00:55:59.000
 The whole of this Psalm,

00:55:59.379 --> 00:56:00.480
 To God's praise,

00:56:00.480 --> 00:56:09.119
 The Lord is my shepherd,

00:56:09.760 --> 00:56:10.199
 Oh,

00:56:10.460 --> 00:56:13.320
 What shall I know,

00:56:13.820 --> 00:56:17.219
 He makes me lie down,

00:56:17.360 --> 00:56:21.019
 Where the green pastures grow,

00:56:21.019 --> 00:56:25.199
 He leads me to rest,

00:56:25.400 --> 00:56:29.199
 Where the calm waters flow,

00:56:29.199 --> 00:56:34.319
 My wandering steps,

00:56:34.439 --> 00:56:38.480
 He brings back to His way,

00:56:38.980 --> 00:56:42.919
 In straight paths of righteousness,

00:56:42.919 --> 00:56:46.259
 Making me stay,

00:56:46.259 --> 00:56:49.879
 And as He has done,

00:56:50.119 --> 00:56:53.579
 His great name to display,

00:56:53.579 --> 00:56:58.819
 Though I walk in death's valley,

00:56:58.819 --> 00:57:02.699
 Where darkness is near,

00:57:02.699 --> 00:57:06.900
 Because you are with me,

00:57:06.900 --> 00:57:10.500
 No evil I fear,

00:57:10.500 --> 00:57:15.159
 Your rod and your sapping me,

00:57:15.500 --> 00:57:18.539
 Comfort and cheer,

00:57:18.539 --> 00:57:22.659
 In the sight of my enemies,

00:57:22.659 --> 00:57:26.519
 At him will you spread,

00:57:26.940 --> 00:57:30.659
 The oil of rejoicing,

00:57:30.739 --> 00:57:34.059
 You pour on my hand,

00:57:34.519 --> 00:57:37.699
 My cup overflows,

00:57:37.779 --> 00:57:39.659
 And I'm gracious,

00:57:39.659 --> 00:57:41.219
 As she fed,

00:57:41.219 --> 00:57:46.559
 So surely your offering,

00:57:46.559 --> 00:57:49.859
 And mercy and grace,

00:57:49.859 --> 00:57:53.559
 Will follow me closely,

00:57:53.559 --> 00:57:57.339
 In all of my ways,

00:57:57.339 --> 00:58:01.039
 I will dwell in the house,

00:58:01.039 --> 00:58:02.860
 Of the Lord,

00:58:02.960 --> 00:58:05.860
 Of my days,

00:58:05.860 --> 00:58:08.320
 After the benediction,

00:58:08.420 --> 00:58:09.980
 I'll go to the door to my right,

00:58:10.139 --> 00:58:11.579
 Here we'll close with the benediction,

00:58:12.800 --> 00:58:13.739
 Now may grace,

00:58:14.039 --> 00:58:15.019
 Mercy and peace,

00:58:15.159 --> 00:58:15.759
 From God,

00:58:16.000 --> 00:58:16.380
 Father,

00:58:16.659 --> 00:58:17.920
 Son and Holy Spirit,

00:58:18.440 --> 00:58:20.500
 Rest upon and abide with you all,

00:58:20.579 --> 00:58:21.659
 Now and forevermore,

00:58:22.159 --> 00:58:22.480
 Amen.

00:58:22.480 --> 00:58:22.599
 Amen.

00:58:22.599 --> 00:58:23.599
 Amen.

00:58:23.599 --> 00:58:23.699
 Amen.

00:58:23.699 --> 00:58:23.800
 Amen.

00:58:23.800 --> 00:58:24.099
 Amen.

00:58:24.099 --> 00:58:24.599
 Amen.

00:58:24.599 --> 00:58:25.599
 Amen.

00:58:31.039 --> 00:58:32.039
 Amen.